Daifuku Webb Holding Company and its subsidiary Jervis B. Webb Company are helping Automatic Guided Vehicle (AGV) customers meet the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) public safety notice regarding mobile radio use. In 2011, the FCC released a public notice stating that all private land mobile radio licensees operating in the 150-174 MHz and 421-512 MHz VHF and UHF frequency bands must change to narrowband technology by January 1, 2013. The new guideline requires narrowband systems to use 12.5 kHz or less bandwidth.
The use of the wideband systems has led to overcrowding in the UHF and VHF bands. Common uses for UHF and VHF are FM radio broadcasting, television broadcasting, cordless phones and land mobile stations, such as the ones used to control AGVs.
Penalties for non-compliance may include license revocation, and/or monetary forfeitures of up to $16,000 for each violation or each day of a continuing violation, as well as up to $112,500 for any single act or failure to act.
Daifuku Webb started transitioning companies to narrowband frequencies to comply with the FCC's public notice earlier this year. The process begins with an on-site evaluation to determine the best way to meet both the FCC mandated changes, as well ensure the long-term viability of the AGV systems. A schedule is then developed to transition customers in the most effective way possible without compromising production.
